Our friends Uber today assured the public they are in fact paying all its taxes due in the UK. This comes after heavy criticism over its multi-national arrangements.
Uber London Ltd have published accounts showing the UK’s company’s turnover increased to £23m last year and paid £411k tax on a total profit of £1.8m.
However, accounts for Uber’s hub in Amsterdam showed commission from drivers in London and other UK cities heavily increasing.
The UK turnover submitted in their accounts equates to less than £4K per each of their 25k drivers. Barely enough to cover four months of Prius rental fees. The £23m turnover also means an average £2.30 is spent annually by each of their alleged 1m sized customer database.
A spokesperson from the tech come transport app refused claims that it was channelling incomethrough Holland to avoid UK taxes. A spokesman said via The Evening Standard: “While we recorded a profit here (in the UK) last year, globally we make a loss as we are a young company that is still expanding and investing heavily.
“The vast majority of the revenue generated by our technology goes straight into the pockets of drivers who use our app and so stays in the local economy.”
The tax set up has however caused concerns.
Labour MEP and tax campaigner Anneliese Dodds said: “Compared to the way you pay for ordinary taxis, this kind of structure is ridiculous.”
Meg Hillier, chairman of the Commons public accounts committee also added: “The more transparency about what profits are made and taxes are due, the better.”
Source TaxiPoint
Editorial Comment:
We’ve just been informed that Uber are to start trials of their new Bus and Minibus ride sharing app.
Should be interesting to see who they will pick to head this new devision…..new job for Daniels perhaps???
